Blank-sorting machine



.Aug. 21

2 Sheets -Sheet l R. c. SIMMONS BLANK SORTING MACHINE R. C. SIMMONSBLANK SORTING MACHINE Filed Dec. 27. 1921 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Aug.21, 1923.

HE SITES r inane RALPH C. SIMMONSQ OF BEVERLY, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNORT0 UNITED SHOE MACHINERY CORPORATION, OF PATERSON, NEW JERSEY, ACORPORATION OF JERSEY.

BLANK-SORTING MACHINE.

Application filed December 27, 1921. Serial No. 525,054.

of illustration in a machine for grading heel lifts. It will beunderstood, however, that the invention is not so limited but that theinvention in its entirety and various important features thereof. mayhave other applications and uses.

It is an object of the invention to provide a machine of the classspecified which will be especially simple in construction, efiicient inoperation, and free from the deficiencies and defects which have limitedthe field of usefulness of prior constructions.

In the illustrative machine and, improved mechanism is provided forcalipering each blank as to its thickness, and in this operation acontroller is set to insurethe ejection of the blank at the properdischarge station for all. blanks of that thickness. As shown, thecontroller is also a part of the ejecting mechanism.

Conveniently, a continuously moving member serves to move the blanks tothe calipering mechanism and to eject the blanks after the caliperingoperation. In a preferred construction,magazines are provided above thecontinuously moving member, each magazine having a part arranged toco-operate with the moving member in lifting the blanks into themagazines, the blanks being distributed among the magazines inaccordance withthe determinations of the calipering mechanism. j

In one aspect the invention comprises two concentrically arrangedconveyor's one of which operates to introduce the blanks into themachine while the other serves as a part of the calipering and ejectingmeans by whichthe blanks are distributed at different stations inaccordance with the 'determinations of the caliperi'i'ig operations: 1,

shown, the ejectors are parts of the means for calipering the blanks.

In a practlcal form of the invention, the

carrier is provided" with. surfaces which force the blanks into themagazines, and in the construction shown, the said surfaces appear ascam surfaces on blocks formed integrally with or attached to the uppersurface of the carrier.

, In addition to the features of the invention above referred to, otherfeatures conj sist in certain devices, combinations and arrangements ofparts which will be described in [the detailed specification and pointedout in the appended claims.

In the drawings Figure 1- IS a view in vertical section through theillustrative machine;

Fig 2 is a detail perspective view, partly 1n section, of a portion ofthe blank calipering and ejecting devices;

Fig. 3 is a plan view from above, partly in section. of the machineshown in Fig. 1;

Fig; 4 is a detail view partly in section of one of the ejectorstogether with the bottom portion of a magazine;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the mechanism shown in Fig. 4,illustrating the position of the parts at a different time in the cycleof operations;

Fi 6 is a detail view in section illustrating the cooperation of theejector and the elevator with the magazine; and

Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 6 and showing the blank elevated intothe magazine.

In the illustrative machine there is provided upon the standard 8, arotary table 10 iav iug a sleeved portion 12 to serve as a journal uponthe standard. As shown, the power means for causing rotation of thetable comprises a shaft 14 (Fig. 1) journaled in vertical bearings 16and 18 on the machine frame 20, the latter being pinned as at 22 to thestandard 8. At the lower end of the shaft 14: is a pinion 24 arrangedcon :ztantly in mesh with a second pinion 26 on the armature shaft 28 ofan electric motor 30. At the upper end of the shaft 1a there is provideda pinion or gear32 which isin struction and arrangement being such thatthe table is driven continuously from the motor 30 through theintermediate connec- V tions just described. 1 v a Pinned to thestandard 8 at 39 above the table is a bracket 40jhaving a plurality ofarms 42 (Fig. 3) each adapted to supporta collector 44 for blanks.(lonvenientlythe collectorsare detachably secured to the arms 42 sothat. they maybe removed if desired to permit of the substitution ofother collectors therefor. as shown. each collector comprises a member46 which is approximately of the shape of the article that the machineis designed to operategupon. Pivotcd as at 48 upon the sides of.themember 46 are two blank retaining members 50 (Figs. 4 and 5) havingdownwardly extending arms 52 with inturned blank supportingportions 54constructed to present beveled ends 56 as disclosed especiallvhi 1 and 4of the drawings. and the operation of which will be pointed out later inthe specification. For holding the blank supporting portions 54 insupporting position there is provideda spring seciu'ed to pins .60 onopposite end portions ottlie retainers 50 below the pivots 48. It isobvious that the blank supporting ends 54 may be movedawayfrom eachother against thetension ofthe spring 58 to admit a blank into the lowerend of the collector and. that normally the portions 54 will be held inblank supporting position through the operation of the spring-58.Convenientlya detachable magazine 64 (Fig. 1-) is adapted to be mountedupon each collector member 46 as an extension thereof to receive theblanks and is freely detachable so that it can be removed when filledand an empty one substituted therefor. This magazine may held in placethrough the opera ion spring clips not shown) or by any other well knownclamping means. v v In the; illustrated machine the table 10 serves notonly as. a. feeding means or carrier for introducing blanks into themachine but also -as the means for forcing the blanks upwardlyinto thecollectors and' magazin es after the blanks have been calipered todetermine their proper distribution. As shown, pockets (Fig. areprovided on the table or carrier 10 into which the blanks, maybeintroduced at several stations along. the periphery of the table, thepockets being f a shape to accommodate the particularpblanks for whichthe machine is designed. Pivoted a t- 72 adjacent each pocket a kicker74 adapted to eject the blank fromthe pocket at a predetermined point inthe rotation of the carrier. hile the pockets. are-:in blank receivingkickers are heldlnoperative by reason of the positions the come oppositethe space or opening in the ledge 78, the kicker will be operated by thespring to eject the blank fromthepocket as illustrated in Fig. 3opposite stationC. in the continued rotation of thecarrier the elbow ofthe kicker again engages the ledge 78 and is repositioned with thespring. 80 under tension; It will be understood that each pocket 70comes in turn to station'C in the rotation of the carrier and that eachblank is ejected at this point into position above an ejector 84located, with its head portion even with or slightly below the plane ofthe upper surface of the table. There is an ejector 84 associated witheach one of a series of pockets of an inner conveyor portion of thetable now to be described.

As before stated the table or carrier-l0 operates to introduce theblanks into-the machine and alsoas a discharging means for the blanks.From one inewpoint thenthe member 10 comprises two conveyors concen:

trically arranged, of which the outer conveyor. as above described, ischaracterized by pockets 70 for receiving the blanks introduced by theoperator. At, station the blanks are moved from the outer conveyor tothe inner conveyor througl'l the operation of the kickers 74, each blankbeing positioned over an ejector 84 and in a space between elevatormembers 86 distributed at regular intervals on the table 10 and servingto form certain of the walls of pockets in the inner conveyor. Otherwalls ofythe inner conveyor are formed by the ledge 78 already describedand a second. ledge 90 integral with or securely attached to the table10. It is the wall or ledgeQO which positions the blank and. holds itagainst thrust of the kicker 74 when the latter moves the blank from theouter to the. inner conveyor at the station C. Mounted in theinnerconveyor portion of the tablelO is a plurality of membershfitreferred to above asejectors. As shown, each ejector comprises a shaftportiona slidable. vertically in a bearingi94 (Fig.7 1) secured to orintegralwith the table 10'. and alinkfi96pivoted to the shaft at '98.and normally held at an angle to the shaftthrough the operation of aspring .100, the link and the shaft forming a toggle as will behereinafter explained. For holding the shaft and therefore the ejector84 in adjusted position there is provided friction means comprising ahollow cylinder 104 (Figs. land 2 havin a closed end to en a e with a bb B flat surface in a slot or groove 106 in the end of the shank of theejector is a pin which may be integral with the pivot 98 and whichcarries a roll 1-14 adapted to enter the flared o1 3cning 116 of the camtrack 120, (Fig 2) the purpose being to position all of the ejectorssuccessively and initally at the same height or position with respect tothe upper surface of the inner conveyor portion of the table 10.

Conveniently the ejectors above described serve also as parts of acalipering means for the blanks in a manner that will now be described.Referring to'liig. 1 of the drawings it will be observedthat the bracketis provided with a bearing 126 for arelatively shortshaft 128'having atone end a bevel gear 130 arranged constantly in mesh with a'largebevelgear 182 secured to the journal 12 of the table 10 so as to move withthe latter. Mounted'upon the outer end of the shaft 128 is a wheel 136having pins or studs 138 arranged radially there in. all of the pins orstuds being of equal length. 4 In the illustrative construction thereare four pins 136 so spaced upon the wheel 136 and so operated from theshaft 128 and the gear above described that one of the pins comes intocalipering relation with the upper end of each one of the ejectormembers 84 during rotation of the table 10. It will be understoodthat'if. a relatively thick blank is positioned upon the upper end of anejector 84 at station D, the caliper-- ing operation at station S (Fig.will result in forcing the ejector downwardly a greater distance than ifarelatively thin blank were thus interposed between one of the pins andan ejector member 84. Since, as above described, all of jrheejectors 84have the same vertical position when they arrive at station S, theresult of the caliperingoperation is to position the ejectors atdifferent heights in their hearings in accordance with the differencesin the thicknessesof the blanks" As result of the calipering operationstheejectors are set to discharge the blanks at the proper dis-. chargestations, so that all blanksof a given thickness may be deposited in onemagazine and. all blanks of anotherxthickness inan other magazine, andso on. In otherwords, the calipering means controls the discharge of theblanks during the continued movement of the inner conveyor.

For operating the ejectors 84 there is provided inthe illustrativeconstruction, a plurality of toggle operating members disclosed as posts142 (Figs. 1. 4 and 5) mounted. yieldingly for vertical movement in theframe member 20. shown, each post 1.42 is slidable vertically in asleeve 144 screw threaded for adjustment in an opening in the lowerportion or bottom 146 of the frame member 20, a spring 148 beingarranged to surround the sleeve 144 and the post 1.42 to hold the latteryieldil'igly in its uppermost position which is determined through thepresence of lock nuts 15() on the lower end of the post. Projecting fromthe sleeve 144 at the lower end thereof and into a slot or groove in thepost 142 is a pin 154 which operates to prevent rotation of the post 142while permitting vertical movement of the latter within the limits fixedby the nuts 150 and the upper end of the sleeve 144. In order that thesleeve 144 may be adjusted vertically and. secured in adjusted position,and thus provide additional adjustment in a vertical direction for thepost 142, there is provided an extension 156 at the lower end of thesaid sleeve which is adapted to receive the set screw 158, the upper endof which threads into the base portion 146 of the frame 20 andserves tohold'the sleeve 144 in adjusted position. As illustrated, the upper endof the post 142 is provided with a head 162 having a transverse ledge orabutment 164, the vertical face of which is positioned radially withrespect to the center of rotation of the table. 10 and thus in aposition to be evenlyrontacted with by the lower beveled surface 166 onthe end of the link 96. It will be clear that as the said surface 168 isinitially presented to the abutment or edge 164 it is practically avertical surface (see Fig. 5) on the end of the link so that the ledgeoperates as a stop for the lower end of the toggle link. Hence as thetoggle as a whole continues to move to the right in Fig. 5 the saidtoggle will be straightened as indicated in Fig' 4. thus lifting theejector 84 whereby it operates as an ejector to lift the blank away fromthe surface of the conveyor and toward the collector 44. Following thisoperationthe blank is lifted into the collector and magazine by meanswhich will be hereinafter described. As the table .10 continues motionthe bevel surface 168 which is inclined at a considerable angle to thehorizontal when the toggle is straightened, serves to force the post 142downwardly against the tension of the spring 14& thereby permitting thetoggle to pass on without injury to either the post or the togg lc.ts'an additional precaution to this end thetoggle link 96 .may yieldbeyond the straightened position of the toggle and against the pressureof the spring 100 by which the link is returned to its initial positionwith the toggle in broken position.

In order that the ejectors may he operated to eject the blanks whenopposite the proper collector or magazine 4141: in each case. the posts142- are set progressively at different heights with respect to thecollectors directly above them. For example, in the illiistrative('OTlSi'l'llCtlOll the post 142 below the tirst collector 44 at stationE (Fig. is set the lowest of all the posts so that it can hecontactedwith. by the lower end of that ejector toggle .irhich has been depressedto the greatest extent during the calipcring operation. In other wordsthe thickest blank of the range of blanksclor which the machine has beenset. willbe ejected into theicollector 44 and magazine at station ll Atstation F the post 142 will be slightly higher and the postsfollowingwill be progressively higher in a series extending around asfar as the last collector at station J. where the thinnest blank will beejected upwardly toward the collector -14. and magazine at this station.It is obvious that the posts 1&2 may be ad justed vertically torthepurpose of changing the range of thicknesses. of the blanks whic themachine will handle from the thinnc'stto .the thickest blank. On theother hand, only the posts 142 intermediate between the first and lastposts may be adjusted so as to change the thicknesses for theintermediate eje'ctors. Furthermore, certain of the posts may be soadjusted as to be out of the range of operation of all of the ejectors,in which case blanks will be deposited in certain of. the collectors 44and magazines and not in all of them. It should be pointed out that thesprings 148 ofthe toggle operating posts 142 servethe purpose also of anequalizing .n-ieans. whereby the ejector which is the most depressed atthe caliperi'ng operation.

It will 'be understood from the foregoingdescription that the ejectors84 lift the blanks away fromthe inside conveyor and toward thecollectors and magazines arranged above the conveyor. other means beingpreferably provided for elevating the blank and forcing it into thelower end of the collector 4ft. ..As shown, these elevators compriseblocksSfi integral with or securely attached to the floor of the innerconveyor and having each a bevel or inclined surface 180 (Figs. 2, 6 and7-) that serves as a cam. or wedge to lift the blank and force it intothe collector; When the ejector 84 is operatedto lift the blank throughthe straighten-' ing of the toggle it carries the latter to such aheight that further movement ofithe blank in the direction of travelofthe carrier is prevented because of the contact of they blank with thewall 190 of the selected collector 4% (Fig. 6). Itwill be obvious thatas the :arrier 10, together with the ejector 84: and elevator 86.continues to move :while the blank is held froramovement by the means 7describeith that the blank willbe elevated through the, operation. ofelevator surface retaining members .52, as indicated in Figs.

1 and 7 of the drawings. I

In the operation of the machine blanks are placed by the operator in thepockets of the continuously moving outer conveyor 1 at various stationsalong the-peripheryof the latter. As eachblank reaches station (3 it isoperated upon. by' the kicker asso ciated with each pocket 70 and movedinto a pocket on the inner conveyor where itis located above an ejector8 1 in the floor of the pocket. Between station D and station S. all ofthe ejeotors are raised to the same height above the levelof the carriersurface through the operation of the cam track 120. At station S thecalipering operation takes place, during continued movement of thecarrieror conveyor, whereby the ejectors 84 are depressedvariousdistanccs in accordance ovith differences in the caliperedthicknesscs of the succeeding blanks of the continuous procession-ofblanks. Subsequently each ejector 84 is operated upon by one of theseries of posts 142 to eject the blank into the collectorfor blanks ofthatrgiven thickness. .As the operation ofthe machine 'proceeds, theblanks are-finally forced upwardly into magazines 64 abovethecollectors14 the arrangement being such tlllt 'th8' maga' zines may be easilyremoved when filled. to permitof thes'ubstitution of empty magazinestherefor. It will be clear that the blanks are automaticallycalipereclas to thickness and discharged into the proper collectors ormagazines without attention on iiiplurality of pockets in which blanksmay be placed, a plurality of magazines with respect to which thepockets are successively related,

and means controlled by a selected dimension of the blanks for e ectingeach blank, during continued movement of the carrier, into the propermagazines so that the blanks are segregatedin accordance with variationsin the given dimension.

2. In a machine of the character described,

. a carrier movable in a horizontal plane and having a plurality ofpockets in which blanks may be placed, means for imparting continuousmovement to the carrier, a plurality or": magazines with respect to,which the movable with the carrier and also vertically toward and fromthe magazines and con-i trolled bya selected dimension of the blankscharge of the blanks into the proper'm'agazines 111 accordance withpredetern'iined differences in the given dimension.

3. In a machine of the characterdescribed,

a movable member having a plurality of pockets in which blanks may beplaced, each pocket having a movable bottom upon which the thickness ofthe blanks for moving the blanks from the pockets: toward the magazinesduring continued movement of the 'CaI'I'leI'.

7. In a machine of the character described, a movable table forsupporting blanks, means for calipering the blanks as they aresuccessively presented to said means by the table, and magazines for theblanks, the table being provided with means movable.therewith to projectthe blanks into the magazines in accordance with the determinations ofthe calipering means.

8. In a machine of the character described, a member movablecontinuously in the same direction and having supporting surfaces forblanks, ca-lipering means arranged to co-operate with the supportingsurfaces for successively calipering the blanks as they are presented tosaid means, and n'ia-gazines for the blanks, the said con tinuouslymoving member being constructed to deposit the blanks in the magazinesin accordance with the determinations of the pockets are successivelyrelated, and means calipering means.

9.111 a machine of the character described, cahpering means for blanks,a member movable continuously and in the same for operating on theblanks to insure the disdirection for presenting the blanks to theoperating "upon the continuously moving blanks, and magazines locatedabove the the blank rests during movement of said.

member, and means controlled by a selected dimension of the blanks forcausing operation of the movable bottoms of the pockets and thusinsuring the discharge of the blanks at the proper stations tor blanksof ditlerent dimensions.

of pockets in which blanks may {be placed,

and a plurality of ejector mechanisms movable with the carrier andcontrolledby a selected dimension of the blanks to effect discharge ofthe blanks from such pockets at a plurality of stations. 7

5. In a machine of the character described, a continuously movablecarrier having apluralityrof pockets in which blanks may be placed, and,a plurality ot'ejectors controlled by the thickness of the blanks foroperatingon each blank to eject it from the pocket during continuedmovement of the carrier and at the proper discharge position for eachblank. I .1- 6. In a machine of the character described, a continuouslymovable carrier having a plurality of pockets in which blanks may beplaced, a plurality of magazines,

and a plurality of ejectors controlled by continuously movable memberfor receiving blanks from the latter.

10. In a machine of the character described, a carrier for blanks, aplurality of ejectors movable with the carrier, a member arranged toco-operate with each of the ejectors in turn to caliper the blankassociated with each ejector, and means operative to remove the blanksfrom the carrier.

11. In a machine of the class described, a carrier having a plurality oipockets for receiving blanks, an ejector associated with each pocket toeject the blank therefrom. means co-operat'iiig with the ejectors forcalipering the blanks, a plurality of magazines, and means on thecarrier co-operating with the magazines for depositing the blanks in thelatter in accordance with the determinations of thecalipering means.

12. In a machine of the character de- 14. In a machine of the characterde' scribed, a carrier movable with a continuous movement in onedirection, a plurality of magazines above the carrier for receivingblanks therefrom, a plurality of ejectors, and means for controlling theejectors so that the latter will co-operate each with its respectivemagazine'to deposit blanks in the latter.

15. In a mach-inc of the character described, a carrier for blanks,magazines located in spaced relation along one side of the carrier,ejectors movable with the carrier for c0 operating with the magazines toeject blanks into the latter, and a plurality of stationary members forcontrolling the c ejectors.

'16. In a machine of the character described, a carrier for blanks, aplurality 0t magazines above the carrier, and means on the carrierfor-selecting blanks in accordance with variations in afgiven dimensionof the blanks-and for ejecting the blanksinto the proper magazines.

calipering means, i 7 c0 17. In a machine of the character described, acarrier for blanks, a plurality of magazines for receiving the blanks, aplurality of ejec tors mounted to move with the carrier, and a ,memberfor co-operat-ing with each ejector tocaliper theblanks and to adjustthe ejectors so that they will co-operate with the proper ma'gazine toinsure the deposit of theblanks in thejla'tter. V l

1 8. In a machine of thecharacter described, a carrier for blanks, ,aplurality of ejectors mounted tomove withjthecarrier, means forpositioningthe ejectors in accordance with thethicknesses of the variousblanks 5 a'ssociated with ejectors, a plurality of magazines,-andstationary members tor causing the ejectors to deliver the blanks to thecorrespondingmagazines,

19. In a machineot the character described,

a carrier for blanks, a plurality of ejectors .Inovable w1th thecarrier, means for positioning each ejector in accordance with thethickness otthe blank to be ejected thereby, and means for operating theejectors at the 56 proper discharge positions.

20. In a machine of the character described, a carrier having aplurality of pockets to receive blanks, calipering means for testing thethickness of each blank in the said pock ,ets,the said means'comprisingan ejector, a plurality of magazines above the carrier,

and means'ifor causing the operation of the ejectors as'they reach theproper magazines in accordance with the determinations of the 21. Inamachine of the character described, a carrier for blanks, a plurality ofejectors movable with the carrier, a plurality of maga'zi-nes above thecarrier, said ejectors comprising each a toggle mechanism, and astationary member opposite each magazine for causing the operation ofthe toggle mechanisnrot the proper-e ector as it comes into operativerelation to the magazine which the blank is to be deposited. V.

a carrier having a pluralityof pockets for blanks, a plurality ofejectors one for each pocket, a plurality o'ltmagazines, means foroperating "the ejectors tomove the blanks i'rom-tlie pockets, and meansassociated with V the carrier and operative to elevate the blankejectedirom the pockets and deposit them in .22. In a machine ofthe characterdescribed,

blanks to the various magazines through the 7 operation of the ejectors.a

24:. In a machine of the character described,

a carrier for blanks, a plurality of ejectors' movable with the carrier,a plurality of magazines above the carrier, meaiis'ior operating theejectors lift the blanks toward the magazines, and elevatorsmovablewiththc carrier to force zines.

the blanks into the maga 25, In a machine of the character described,

a carrier for blanks, a plurality of magazines above the carrier, means"tor calipering the blanks, and elevators movable with the car rier fordepositing blanksinthe magazines 1n accordance with the' determinationsof the calipering means 26. In a machine oi the character described,

a carrier for blanks, a plurality oi'ejectors movable with the carrier,means'located above the carrier for co-operating with each ejector tocaliper theblank associated w th thatejector, the arrangement being suchthat the ejector'is positionedin accordance with the thickness of theblank, a plurality of magazines, and stationary memberslocated atdifferent heightsbclow the magazines and operative to'torce the ejectorsupwardly to ward the magazines so that the latter receive theblanks 1naccordance with'ithe "determi nations ofthecaliperingineansi 27. In amachine joftherlass described,

a carrier for blanksgflaplurality ofejectors movable with the carrier, amember I A f operating with each ej'ector'to movethe latter downwardly adistance correspond as to,

the thickness oiblanks'lo 'cated'betwee "the member and the ejector, anda plura membersot' different heights for operating on theie ectors tocauscflt'he"latter'jto idis charge the blanks at various stations in aethe calf cordance with the determinations'of lpering means;

28. In a machine oil the class described, a circulaircarrier having aplurality of pockets near its periphery into which the operator mayplace blanks, a plurality of magazines a second set of pockets on thecarrier ar ranged to move below the magazines, means automaticallyoperative to shift the blanks from the first set of pockets to thesecond, means for calipering the blanks in the pockets, said meanscomprising ejectors posi- .ioned in accordance with the thickness of theblank in each given pocket, said ejectors comprising each a togglemechanism, and stationary members for straightening the togglemechanisms and thus operating the ejectors to discharge the blanks intomagazines at stations decided by the determina tions of the caliperingmeans. 7

29; In a machine of the character described, a carrier for blanks, aplurality of ejectors associated with the carrier each comprising atoggle mechanism, means for positioning each ejector in accordance withthe thickness of the blank associated therewith, and stationary membersoperative selectively -to straighten the toggle mechanisms of theejectors to cause discharge of the blanks at the proper stations. 7

30.111 a machine o'l" the character described, a carrier having pocketstor receiving blanks, a plurality of ejectors located in the pockets,means for positioning the ejectors in the pockets in accordance with thethickness of the blank over each ejector, and means for actuating theejectors at various discharge stations to distribute the blanks inaccordance with the variations in thicknesses of the same.

31.1n a machine oi the character described, a carrier for blanks, meansmovable with the carrier tor ejecting the blanks from the carrier, and acontroller set in accordance with the thickness of each blank forensuring the ejection of the blank at the proper discharge station.

32. In a machine of the character described, a carrier for blanks, meansmo able with the carrier for'discharging the blanks from the carrier atpredetermined stations, a controller arranged to be set in accordancewith the thickness of each blank associated therewith and operative toensure actuation of the discharging means, and means for positioning thecontrollers initially in the same relation to the carrier.

33.111 a machine of the character de scribed, a conveyor having pocketstherein in which blanks may be placed, a second conveyor concentric withrespect to the first mentioned conveyor, means for transferring blanksfrom the first to the second conveyor, and means associated with thesecond conveyor for calipering the blanks and for discharging them fromthe conveyor at stations in accordance with the determinations oi? thecalipering operations.

3st. in a machine of the character described, a. conveyor having meansfor carrying blanks in spaced relation with respect to each other, asecond conveyor concentric with respect to the first and having meansfor carrying blanks in spaced relation, means for transferring blanks:trom the first to the second conveyor, calipering means for the blanks,and means for discharging blanks from the second conveyor at stationsdete mined with reference to the operations of the calipering means.

35. In a machine of the character described, a rotary conveyor havingpockets for receiving blanks, a second conveyor concentric with thefirst mentioned conveyor and arranged to receive blanks therefrom,plurality of magazines, and means associated with the second conveyortor calipering the blanks and for discharging them into the magazines inaccordance with the determinationsof the calipering operations.

36. In a machine of the character described, a conveyor having pocketsfor receiving blanks, a second conveyor concentric with the first andadapted to receive blanks therefrom, means for moving blanks from thefirst to the second. conveyor, a plurality of magazines, meanscooperating with the second conveyor to caliper the blanks and todischarge them into the magazines in accordance with the determinationsof the calipering means.

37. In a machine of the class described, a

rotary conveyor for receiving blanks to introduce them into the machine,a second convey'or concentric with the first and adapted to receiveblanks therefrom, means tor transferring the blanks from the first tothe second conveyor, a plurality of magazines located above the secondconveyor, and means for calipering the blanks as they are car ried alongby the second conveyor, said sec ond conveyor having portions operativeto elevate the blanks into the magazines in accordance ith thedeterminations of the ca lipering operations.

38. In a machine oi? the character described, a carrier for receivingblanks, calipering means associated with the carrier and operative tocaliper the blanks as they are presented in a continuous successioncomprosing axially movable plunger members adjustable in a caliperingoperation in accordance with the various thicknesses of the blankspre-xented to the calipering means, and means comprising a plurality ofmembers progressively stepped in a series for operating on the plungersselectively in accordance with the adjusted positions of the lattereffected during the calipering operations whereby the blanks aredischarged from the carrier in accordance with the determinations of thecalipering means.

39. In a machine of the character described, a carrier for blanks,calipering mea-ns com )risin a )luralit' of olun 'ers for operating onthe blanks as they are pre sented by the carrier, the said plungersbeing adjusted in position in accordance with the thicknesses of thesuccessive blanks calipered, a plurality of magazines above the carriermeans for operating on the plunger-s to cause them to move the blankstoward the magazines selectively in accordance with the determinationsof the calipering operations and means on the carrier for completing the"operation of forcing the blanks upwardly into the magazines.

4-0. In a machine of the character described, a carrier "for blanks,means for min pering the blanks as they are presentedin' endlesssuccession on the carrier, plurality of members for ejecting the blanksfrom the carrier controlled by the calipering means that they becomeoperative at predetermined stations in the turning movement 01'thetarrier, toggle mechanism connected with 42. In a machine of thecharacter described, a carrier for blanks movable continuously in agiven direction, means for calipering the blanks as they are presentedby the carrier comprising plungers 'slidably mounted in the carrier, aplurality ofmagazines above the carrier, a plurality of stationarymembers mounted in line with the magazines and arranged to operate onthe plunger-s 1n an order determined by the cahpering operations tocause the'plungerto lift theblanks each toward its proper magazine, andelevator blocks on the carrier for ,moving the blanks upwardly into themagazines.

3. In a machine of the character described, a carrier for blanks, meansfor calipering the blanks as they are presented by the carriercomprising movable .parts of the carrier arranged to bepositionedadjustably.

by the *alipering means in, accordance -with the thickness of theblanks'calipered, magazines above the carrier to receive the blanks, andmeans for operating the movable portions of the carrier in an orderdetermined with reference to the vcalipering operations to select theblanks for their respective magazincs, the said earrierhaving otherportions fixedly secured thereto which operate to force the selectedblanks Iinto the magazines.

44;. In a machine of the character described,

a carrier for blanks, means for calipering the blanks as they arepresented by the carrier, a plurality of magazines located closely adjacent to the carrier, and means controlled by the calipering meanstormoving the blanks. so that they engage an inside wall ot'rtheselectedmagazine to be retainedagainst further movement with thecarrier, the carrier having .cam blocks secured. thereto for.elevatmgthe blanks after they havebeen thus engaged with the magazinesselected. in accordance with. the determinations of the caliperingmeans.

45. In a machine of the character described, a carrier for blanks,means, for calipering the blanks as they are presented by the carrier, aplurality of magazines lo cated closely adjacent to the carrier, andmeans controlled by the calipering m ans f r moving the blanks so thatthey engage an in-- side wall of the selected magazine to be retainedagainst further movement with the C21Il1,tl18 carrier having portionswhich serve to elevate the blanks after; they are thus retained againstmovement therewith,

In testimony whereof .I have signed ,my

name to this specification. RALPH C. .SIMMQNS;

